Liffey Celtics into National Cup final after 'gritted out' performance against Trinity Meteors
FloMAX Liffey Celtics' Clara Boyce and Katie Williamson celebrate winning. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho
Defending champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics are into the Domino’s WSL National Cup final, following a 69-57 semi-final win over Trinity Meteors on Saturday at Neptune Stadium.
A driving layup from Sorcha Tiernan helped put Liffey Celtics into an early 6-2 lead, however a put back by Ava Learn brought it level at 6-6 with a little over two minutes gone.
A three point jump by Learn saw Trinity Meteors, who were seeking to reach a second cup final in four years, trail 14-13 with four minutes to go in the first. Liffey Celtics would hold a 18-15 advantage by the end of the quarter, thanks to a pair of Tiernan free throws in the final minute.
Aisling Moran’s three put Trinity Meteors ahead, 22-20, four minutes into the second quarter. It remained tight, a two point jump shot from Sarah Kenny brought it level at 28-28 with three minutes to go.
Liffey Celtics responded with a a six point run, through four points from Destinee Brusch and a Brooke Kane layup, to lead 34-28. The Kildare outfit would be 38-31 in front by half-time, Brush with 15 points at that stage and she’d finish with a game-high 21.
With just under seven minutes remaining in the third Hazel Finn picked up her fourth foul, which saw her return to the bench. Trinity Meteors kept themselves very much in contention during her absence and trailed by four, 40-36, midway through the quarter following Learn’s basket and a Horstmeyer free throw.
The deficit was cut to a single point following a long-range three by Kenny to leave it poised at 42-41 with 3’13 left in the quarter. Two layups from Aisling Moran in the final minute nudged Trinity Meteors 47-46 in front, before an Aine O’Connor jump shot saw Liffey Celtics reclaim the lead, 48-47.
Ciara Mulligan’s two-point jump shot was the opening score of the fourth quarter, but Liffey Celtics responded and were ahead by four 53-49 following four points by Katie Williamson and a Brusch free throw. Meteors again responded with a deep three from Kenny to trail 53-52.
Scores from Brooke Kane and Tiernan established a five point lead, 57-52, for Liffey Celtics with four minutes remaining. Finn picked up her fifth foul and exited the game with 3’37” to go and Kane converted her two free throws to leave Liffey Celtics 59-52 up and appearing in control of proceedings.
Hillary Netsiyanwa’s side built a 10-point lead with two minutes remaining, 62-52, following two more O’Connor free throws and one from Tiernan. Meteors needed a response and fast, a Moran layup and a jump shot from Catherine Connaire reduced the deficit, but Liffey Celtics would keep them at bay, winning 69-57.
Speaking about a return to the final for the defending champions, Liffey Celtics and Ireland international player Sorcha Tiernan said: “It means so much, we’ve had a really tough second year, a lot of change. We’ve really put it together the last couple of weeks to get through, so delighted. It’s hard to get back to a final, so delighted to be there.”
She added: “We’re building a bit of momentum now, I think to be honest that was a gritted out performance, I don’t think we’ve played anywhere near our best, but thankfully we were able to get over the line with a lot of hard work, but we still have levels to reach, we can still go up another level so we’ll be working hard in training over the next couple of weeks.”
D Bursch (21), K Williamson (15), S Tiernan (14), B Kane (13).
S Kenny, A Moran, A Learn (12 points each).
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